Risk assessment

Endocrine disruptors

Biocides

Active substance approval

The assessment of active substances prior to their approval for use in biocidal products is carried out by an EU country, followed by a peer review involving all EU countries, coordinated by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). This peer review takes place within the Biocidal Products Committee (BPC). ECHA delivers an opinion to the Commission as to whether or not an active substance can be approved.

On the basis of its conclusions, the Commission decides whether or not to approve the use of the active substance in biocidal products. Where necessary to protect human health, animal health or the environment, an approval may include certain conditions to ensure that the risks identified are properly addressed during product authorisation.

Substances of very high concern

The Regulation contains criteria to phase out the use of substances of very high concern and to ensure that, over time, better alternatives are used.

A review programme has been set up to examine active substances that were already on the market when the first EU legislation on biocidal products was adopted in 1998.

Non-approval decisions

When a substance is not approved under the review programme, biocidal products containing this active substance are usually removed from the market within 12 months, unless otherwise stipulated by national authorities.